The relationship between perceived stress, life satisfaction and compulsive buying

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine in a group of adults the relationship between compulsive buying, perceived stress and life satisfaction, and examine how these variables differed in individuals with different socio-demographic features as well as Covid-19 pandemic conditions. Method: The sample of the study consisted of 306 adult participants, with 162 (52.9%) women and 144 (47.1%) men with a mean age of 37.04±11.43 years. Individuals with any psychiatric diagnosis and/or in the process of a psychiatric/psychological treatment, were excluded from the study. The Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Other Information Form, the Compulsive Buying Scale (CBS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) were applied to all participants. The Independent Groups T Test, One-Way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used in data analysis. Results: Our results revealed a significantly positive correlation between PSS and CBS scores and a significantly negative correlation between PSS and LSS scores. No significant correlation existed between CBS and LSS scores; however, LSS scores proved to be mediating variable in the relationship between CBS and PSS scores. Besides, CBS scores of female participants were found to be significantly higher than that of males whereas in married individuals PSS scores were found to be significantly lower and LSS scores significantly higher. The duration of education was found to be significantly positively correlated with CBS and LSS scores. Participants with higher income levels found to be significantly highly satisfied with life. No correlation was found between the change in buying frequency due to pandemic and our scale scores. Conclusion: In this study, conducted in adults going through Covid-19 pandemic, it was observed that as the perceived stress increased, compulsive buying increased whereas life satisfaction decreased. In addition, life satisfaction was shown to be a mediating variable in the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive buying.